Saona Island Day Trip: Speedboat, Natural Pool, Lunch

White sand, crystalline water, and a natural pool stop on the way out

A full-day tour from Santo Domingo to Saona Island in the Dominican Republic, traveling by speedboat or catamaran with a stop at the natural pool to explore mangroves and schools of fish. The tour runs 10 to 12 hours and includes air-conditioned transport from the city, lunch buffet, open bar with rum, life jackets, and a guide in English or Spanish. Children from age 2 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Saona Island all-inclusive day trip

• Depart from Santo Domingo
• Travel to Bayahibe, La Romana
• Arrive at port, walk barefoot on sand
• Boat trip to Saona Island
• Stop at natural pool, explore mangroves
• Enjoy beach activities and sports
• Buy souvenirs and dance to music
• Buffet lunch and open bar
• Return trip to Bayahibe and Santo Domingo

The experience

The day starts with pickup in Santo Domingo and a drive to Bayahibe port in La Romana, where you board a speedboat or catamaran for the crossing to Saona Island. Before reaching the island, the boat stops at the natural pool so you can wade through mangroves, watch schools of fish move through the shallows, and take in the coastal landscape. Life jackets are provided for the water stops.

Once on Saona Island, the afternoon is unstructured: swim in the sand, play beach sports, dance to Dominican music, or simply rest. A buffet lunch and open bar with rum, soft drinks and water run throughout the day on the island and at the natural pool. The return journey follows the same route, with the boat leaving you back at Bayahibe to drive to Santo Domingo.

The tour operates with a live guide who speaks English and Spanish. Air-conditioned transport is included from Santo Domingo, and the speedboat or catamaran ride is part of the booking. You do not arrange separate boat tickets. Pickup is included in at least one option at checkout.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned transport from Santo Domingo to the port.
• speedboat or catamaran ride to Saona Island with a stop at the natural pool.
• life jackets.
• lunch buffet.
• open bar with rum, soft drinks and water.
• guide in English or Spanish.

Options for this experience

3 options

Guide in English or Spanish06:00

Guide in English or Spanish05:30 and 06:00

Guide in English or Spanish06:30

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 05:30, 06:00 and 06:30

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (2 to 3 years)

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Sunset Caribbean

Is this one for you?The 10- to 12-hour commitment and boat travel suit travelers who can spend a full day away from the city and are comfortable on the water. Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or who are pregnant.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (2 to 3 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

What is the natural pool stop like on the way to Saona Island?

The natural pool is a shallow area surrounded by mangroves where you can wade and observe schools of fish in the water. The boat stops there before heading to the island so you have time to explore the area and swim.

How long is the full day trip from Santo Domingo?

The tour runs 10 to 12 hours total, including the drive from Santo Domingo to the port, the boat ride to the island with the natural pool stop, time on Saona Island, and the return journey.

What does the open bar include?

The open bar serves rum, soft drinks and water throughout the day at the natural pool, on the catamaran or speedboat, and on Saona Island itself.

Is transport from Santo Domingo included in the price?

Air-conditioned vehicle transport from Santo Domingo to Bayahibe port is included. Pickup is part of at least one option. Confirm which option you select at checkout.